Southeast Asia
Best short-haul holiday destinations: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Vietnam’s frenetic and underrated financial centre offers a rich history and one of the most exciting – and bargainous – food scenes in South-East Asia.
- by Katherine Scott
Best short-haul holiday destinations: Kuala Lumpur
This greatly underrated foodie heaven provides a quintessential South-East Asian city experience at a bargain price.
- by Julie Miller
The abandoned goat that now lives in five-star island luxury
Bonnie the Nihi Goat, as she’s known on Instagram, has become the accidental mascot of one of Indonesia’s most luxe resorts.
- by Jenny Hewett
Return to this showpiece city, next to a world wonder, before everyone else does
After you’ve explored the ancient temples of Angkor, a freshly polished Siem Reap turns on the charm and surprises. It won’t stay under the radar for long.
- by Julie Miller
This incredible Vietnamese cafe building is like a giant chocolate box
Get a hit of the national obsession, as coffee and history collide in this quirky Insta attraction.
- by Katherine Scott
New bucket list: The 20 experiences in Asia you must do
A world of adventure, luxury, fascinating cultures, natural beauty and incredible cuisines is on Australia’s doorstep.
- by Ute Junker
★★★★½
Laos
A charming and luxe stay in the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage town
Empathetically blending modern design touches into its colonial surrounds, Avani+ Luang Prabang is the ideal base from which to explore one of South-East Asia’s most charming cities.
- by Mark Daffy
★★★★½
Hotel reviews
This hotel exists in an alternative universe – it’s a hoot
This hotel is something unexpected in a country with a history sadly mostly identified by war.
- by Anthony Dennis
This giant Asian resort has everything – except Aussies
The enormous Alma Resort in Vietnam has 12 swimming pools. I made it my vow to swim in them all.
- by Julietta Jameson
Best travel experiences of 2023: Asia
Leopard-spotting in India, riding horses on the beach in Indonesia, doing very little in Bali, these are the moments of Asia.